Preamble: The Battle of the Somme was fought between July 1 and November 1, 1916. During this battle the total casualties for both sides have been estimated at approximately 887,000. The British Army on the opening day suffered 57,000 casualties. For the 18th Battalion this battle was one of it bloodiest engagements up until this... Continue Reading →
Soldiering at Fair Ground Camp: London, Ontario; 1914
Then Captain Samuel Monteith Loghrin wrote a letter dated November 8th, 1914 gives some insight into the activities and responsibilities of an officer in the Canadian Army preparing for embarkation to England for further training and preparation before moving to Belgium to active service in the line. Note the envelope. The post mark indicated the... Continue Reading →
The Accidental Death of Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown
Warning: This post contains a graphic description of Lieutenant William Ormiston Brown's wounds and resulting death. During the First World War the statistics of accidental death or wounding resulting in death were not kept. During World War II only 7 officers serving were killed accidentally at a rate of 0.3 percent. Accidental deaths for other... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 